Graham Platner filed paperwork on July 10 to officially drop out of the Maine Senate race, two days after announcing his withdrawal in a video posted to social media.

Platner won the Democratic primary on June 9 with more than 150,000 votes—more than any other Democratic Senate candidate in Maine's history. But his candidacy became untenable after a rape allegation from a former romantic partner, which he denies. Major Democratic figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, called on him to step aside.

In his withdrawal video, Platner said the campaign could no longer function financially. "We are going to lose our ability to fundraise. We are going to lose our ability to access voter data," he said, adding that dropping out was not an admission of guilt.

Platner blamed the "political establishment" for forcing him out, arguing the real goal was to prevent a progressive from winning. He said he was stepping aside to keep the progressive movement alive and to help defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.

In his formal withdrawal notice, Platner said voters were "desperate for change" and had chosen "a new kind of politics." He ended with a statement aligned with his progressive platform.

What happens next: The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention where about 600 delegates will select Platner's replacement. The deadline is July 27. Candidates must declare their intent by July 15 and gather signatures from at least 8 of Maine's 16 counties.

Multiple candidates have already launched replacement bids, including former state Sen. Troy Jackson and former CDC official Nirav Shah, both of whom ran unsuccessful campaigns for governor.

Platner's campaign had generated significant enthusiasm around a progressive platform focused on affordability, universal health care, and removing corporate influence from politics. Party leaders will need to harness that energy if they hope to challenge Collins in the general election.

Source: NPR News